"Sir Richard; Not the Only Aristocrat at Killerton"

by Richard Henley

During the summer of 69 or 70, I can't remember which, there was an increased number of weekend visitors to 'The Gardens'.

This was no bother to us, since they parked down the drive and went on up the National Trust guided trails to the tree line.

Several, of the few left at the Hall on a Saturday, were messing around in the parking lot after lunch, when a very large and modern motor coach turned into the driveway, and stopping just short of the cattle grid disgorged about 40 well dressed and elderly passengers, who, with seemingly great excitement, headed for the trees.

We thought nothing of it, and carried on with what we were doing, which I think was drinking beer and passing around a rugby ball.

Some twenty minutes later, into the driveway came a stretched, highly polished black Daimler Limo, identical to the ones in Her Majesty's motorcades. This vehicle did not stop at the cattle grid, but drove right in to our hallowed parking area; and stopped.

Both front doors opened and out came two men clad in grey suits, complete with white gloves, and black shiny peaked caps. They opened the rear doors, and then emerged an elderly gentleman from one side; his good lady from the other.

Not being shy, I went over to welcome them, (curiosity aroused), but was intercepted by one of the grey uniforms.

"Where did the dendrologists go?"

Being pretty swift, I figured they must have been the passengers on the coach, so I pointed the way.

The elderly gentleman thanked me and strolled off with his lady, to find the rest of the group.

I could not help but ask the grey suited guys the obvious question. "Who was that??"

They looked at me as though I should have known. "The Duke and Dutchess of Westminster".

I didn't have a clue about what dendrology was, so I looked it up in the library; turns out, it's the study of trees.

Ever since then, having at one time or another taken a piss against most of the Killerton trees, I've considered myself a dendrologist.!!!